The Apple TV is a great device. We take a look at five reasons why you should pick up an Apple TV right now.

What is the Apple TV? Why you should think about buying an Apple TV

Apple TV is a set-top box designed by Apple that brings iTunes content to the television. The Apple TV connects to your television via a HDMI cable, and connects to your Wi-Fi router.

Once Apple TV is set up, you enter an Apple ID and password and can stream any content you have bought from iTunes Store to your television. You can also stream iTunes Match music synced to your iTunes Match account (if you are a subscriber). Apple TV has a selection of built-in apps, such as Now TV, Sky News and Netflix that enable you to stream content from these services directly to your television. Finally you can use AirPlay to stream video, music, photos and compatible apps from an iPhone or iPad.

It's worth noting that the Apple TV was last updated in 2012, and we expected to see a refresh in 2015.

Apple TV is a set-top box designed by Apple that brings iTunes content to the television. The Apple TV connects to your television via a HDMI cable, and connects to your Wi-Fi router.

Once Apple TV is set up, you enter an Apple ID and password and can stream any content you have bought from iTunes Store to your television. You can also stream iTunes Match music synced to your iTunes Match account (if you are a subscriber). Apple TV has a selection of built-in apps, such as Now TV, Sky News and Netflix that enable you to stream content from these services directly to your television. Finally you can use AirPlay to stream video, music, photos and compatible apps from an iPhone or iPad.

It's worth noting that the Apple TV was last updated in 2012, and we expected to see a refresh in 2015.

The Apple TV is cheap: you can pick one up for a bargain

The Apple TV is cheaper than ever before. If you've ever wondered what it's like to own an Apple TV, or would like the ability to stream your iTunes content to a television, then now is the time. As of 9 March, It's only £59 for an Apple TV from Apple, and you can get a better bargain by shopping around.

There's a lot more content on Apple TV than you'd think

There's a lot more to the Apple TV than you'd think.

Most people think it just streams music and movies you've bought (or rented) from iTunes, but it does way more than that. It has the best edition of Netflix we know of, as well as UK services like Now TV, Sky News, Bloomberg TV, YouTube, Vemo, Quello and more. There's a huge amount of apps to stream content from.

Apple TV has Family Sharing

Family Sharing makes it easy for the whole family to share iTunes content. Any movies, TV shows and music that anybody in the family has bought makes it way on to the Apple TV.

The Apple TV has always been great for playing iTunes content, but now it can do it with all the family. Family Sharing even integrates with iCloud Photo Sharing, so you can share all the family's photos.

iCloud Photo Sharing makes it easy to see photos on the big screen

If you have iCloud Photo Sharing set up on your iPhone, then every photo you snap will automatically be sent to Apple's iCloud Service. And guess what: the Apple TV plugs straight into iCloud so your photos will be ready and waiting for you when you get home.

No more passing the iPhone around to show off your snaps: just kick back and turn the television on.

You can hook up your iPhone with AirPlay

It's easy to point out the services that Apple TV misses, such as BBC iPlayer, but what nobody notices is that you can use all these services with an iPhone, iPad or Mac and an Apple TV. Just tap the AirPlay icon on any of your Apple devices and you'll quickly be able to bounce the content from your Apple device to the Apple TV.

AirPlay for your television is only available on the Apple TV, and you can play iOS games, or display content from iOS and OS X apps (such as Keynote). AirPlay is amazing.